Simon Piening
Kings Theatre, Russell St, Melbourne
JCW Scene Book 9
Between 2014–2016, THA undertook a program of digitization of Scene Books from the JC Williamson collection held by Scenic Studios, Preston. The collection comprises thousands of images of JCW sets, backdrops, scenic details, lighting rigs etc. stretching back to the end of the nineteenth century.
Scene Book No. 9
The George Gordon Sketchbook - dimensions: 34 x 31 (landscape). The drawings and ground plans of George Gordon, for the production "After Dark" by Dion Boucicault - could be pre- or post- 1879, the date of Gordon's arrival in Australia. There is a 1944 dedication by John Hennings' (1835 - 1898) son John Henry Hennings (1863 - 1959). Each page is stamped with Boucicault's signature. Scottish born Gordon (1839 - 1899) arrived in Australia in 1879 after 25 years' experience in scenic design in England. He worked for JCWilliamson from 1882 until the mid 1890s. Fellow artists included John Hennings, John Brunton and Alfred Clint.
JCW Scene Book 2
Between 2014–2016, THA undertook a program of digitization of Scene Books from the JC Williamson collection held by Scenic Studios, Preston. The collection comprises thousands of images of JCW sets, backdrops, scenic details, lighting rigs etc. stretching back to the end of the nineteenth century.
Scene Book No. 2
St. James' Theatre Album, London - 1890s (No. 1). Dimensions: 40 x 28 (landscape). These are records of George Alexander productions for St. James' Theatre, King Street, London (built 1835, demolished 1957). The theatre's most brilliant period came under Alexander's management - 1891 to 1918. The photographs would have been used as guides or as inspiration for the scenic artists working on the same productions in Australia.
JCW Scene Book 1
Between 2014–2016, THA undertook a program of digitization of Scene Books from the JC Williamson collection held by Scenic Studios, Preston. The collection comprises thousands of images of JCW sets, backdrops, scenic details, lighting rigs etc. stretching back to the end of the nineteenth century.
Scene Book No. 1
This volume, dating from the 1920s, is extremely damaged, with loose pages and disintegrating spine. Dimensions: 39 x 27 x8. There is an index, also names in red which have been crossed out - possibly these were for earlier productions. Photos are of sets, cloths, the occasional actor/singer/dancer but no information re scenic artists, no dimensions of cloths and no individual dates.